PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF MOVING VEHICLE OPERATORS

• US 20130345921A1
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Diab, Mohamed K., Kiani, Massi Joe E., Marinow, Nikolai
• Application Number:
  US13/923,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20130345921A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02427 Details of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/00 Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0055 with safety arrangements

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to determining an physical state of a moving vehicle operator. In an embodiment, if it is determined that a vehicle operator is impaired, the vehicle is programed to automatically and safely stop a vehicle before an accident occurs. In an embodiment physiological sensors in the seat, steering wheel, or wireless sensors placed on the vehicle operator'"'"'s body are used to determine an impairment state of a vehicle operator.

Claims

1. A vehicle operator physiological monitoring system comprising:

a physiological monitor configured to measure a physiological state of a vehicle operator;

a processor in communication with the physiological monitor that determines if the operator is impaired and automatically takes control of the vehicle to prevent an accident.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is located in an operator'"'"'s seat.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is located in a steering wheel.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is located in a hat worn by the operator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is located a glove worn by the operator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is located in a Bluetooth device worn by the operator.

7. A system configured to monitor a physiological state of a vehicle operator, the system comprising:

a vehicle operator seat;

at least one light emitter; and

at least one light detector, wherein the at least one light emitter and the at least one light detector are housed and form part of the vehicle operator seat.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one light emitter is configured to be shine light into the leg or buttocks of a vehicle operator;

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one light emitter and the at leaste one light detector are placed below at least a first layer of fabric of the vehicle operator seat.

10. A method of determining a physiological state of a vehicle operator, the method comprising:

shining a light into a body portion of a vehicle operator, wherein the light is of sufficient power to penetrate clothing worn by the vehicle operator;

detecting light attenuated by the body portion of the vehicle operator;

processing the detected attenuated light to determine a physiological state of the vehicle operator.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the physiological state is a pulse rate.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the physiological state is oxygen saturation.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the physiological state is respiration rate.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the physiological state is an alertness level.